Swing with Laughter

Details

Variety is back with a capital V as legendary British Entertainers Bobby Davro and Kenny Lynch OBE swap their golf clubs for a unique night of comedy and music in the company of talented friends.

Bobby who is recognised worldwide as one of the great British all-round entertainers, will take audiences back to the golden days of light entertainment, when families would gather around the television to watch him in his own Saturday night Variety series or as a regular on shows such as Copy Cats and Live from Her Majesty’s . These classic shows featured the very best in song, dance, impressions and comedy, performed by some of the greatest performers in the world. Now in 2018 Swing With Laughter recreates those magical shows and adds a modern flavour for audiences of today, who are enjoying the current revival in variety.

Great talent is featured in abundance with Bobby being joined on stage by singer, songwriter, comedian and entertainer Kenny Lynch, who will be performing his many hits including the Number One, million seller “Up on the Roof” and “Stand By Me”. “Carry On” star, singer, dancer and West End leading lady Anita Harris – who certainly knows about variety having appeaered in seven Royal Command Performances will regale the audience with annecdotes from her amazing career while performing hits such as “Just Loving You” and “The Anniversary Waltz”. Both Kenny and Anita come direct from headlining at The Orleans Casino in Las Vegas and are featured in the new ITV series “Last Laugh In Vegas”. Fans of the eighties satire classic “Spitting Image” will certainly be aware of the multi-talented impressionist Jessica Martin. Having provided the voices of many popular characters, she went on to star alongside Bobby Davro in the hit ITV show “Copy Cats” and since then has demonstrated her vocal talents while starring in West End shows such as “Me and My Girl”. In this show she will also be performing her acclaimed tribute to Judy Garland, which she had the honour of performing at a Royal Command Performance.

Legends such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr graced the stage of The London Palladium many times and so it is fitting that Britain’s original tribute to The Rat Pack, now celebrating it’s record breaking 21st Anniversary completes this star-studded lineup. The Rat Pack is Back was recently voted the number one tribute show in The U.K for the third consecutive year, by the Agents Association of Great Britain. These cool cats swing through classics such as “Amore” “Mr Bojangles” and “New York New York” with the style and panache of the original trio.

The great variety shows were known for having superb bands and stunning dancers and “Swing With Laughter” will not disappoint in either of those departments, with the swinging Buddy Greco All-stars Band under the direction of Mac Shone and the sensational L.A Showgirls joining the cast on stage.

While we may not be able to watch stars such as Sir Bruce Forsyth, Morcambe and Wise or Andy Williams, in our living rooms every weekend anymore. Swing With Laughter allows us to experience the magic of variety and true entertainment greats one more time and we are in safe hands as Bobby and Co, knock the ball of entertainment straight down the middle as only the very best can! Memories Are Made Of This….

Winner of the 2010 Essex Tourism Award - Access For All.
Seats are held for Audio Described and Captioned performances up until two weeks before the performance and after this point they will be available on a first come first served basis; there is limited free disabled parking under the canopy for blue badge holders which operates on a first come first served basis; a lift operates to all levels of the theatre; wheelchair spaces are available; an infrared enhancement system is available in the auditorium at all performances (for use with or without a hearing aid); Touch Tours are available; RNID typetalk and text phone (01206 245518).
Cloakroom - 20p per item.
Theatre Bar - open 30 mins before the performance (except mid-week matinees), during the interval and after the show; tea, coffee and a wide range of drinks are on sale.
Kiosk - open 30 mins before the performance and during the interval; ice-cream and confectionary are on sale plus tea, coffee and soft drinks.

Contact

Address

Location

Directions

By Road:The closest car park to the Mercury Theatre is St Mary's Car Park. Discount parking vouchers can be bought in advance from the Mercury Theatre. Find out more information about parking offers on their website.

Parking: with charge

Accessible by Public Transport: 1 mile from Colchester station

Facilities

Baby changing facilities

Coach parties accepted

Credit cards accepted (with charge)

Disabled toilets

Facilities for groups

Facilities for educational visits

On-site light refreshments

Public toilets

Accepts groups

Facilities for conferencing

Facilities for corporate hospitality

Disabled access

Facilities for hearing impaired

Facilities for visually impaired

Winner of the 2010 Essex Tourism Award - Access For All.
Seats are held for Audio Described and Captioned performances up until two weeks before the performance and after this point they will be available on a first come first served basis; there is limited free disabled parking under the canopy for blue badge holders which operates on a first come first served basis; a lift operates to all levels of the theatre; wheelchair spaces are available; an infrared enhancement system is available in the auditorium at all performances (for use with or without a hearing aid); Touch Tours are available; RNID typetalk and text phone (01206 245518).
Cloakroom - 20p per item.
Theatre Bar - open 30 mins before the performance (except mid-week matinees), during the interval and after the show; tea, coffee and a wide range of drinks are on sale.
Kiosk - open 30 mins before the performance and during the interval; ice-cream and confectionary are on sale plus tea, coffee and soft drinks.

Self-Assessed Accessibility Details

Parking

Designated parking for guests with disabilities

Within 50 metres approx. of entrance

The surface of the car park and pathway leading to entrance:

is solid

Drop-off point for guests outside entrance

The route from the parking area to the entrance:

Is flat (i.e. without steps)

Public Areas

Level access (no steps/thresholds) or access by ramp or lift:

From the entrance to reception / ticket area

To a specially adapted public toilet suitable for wheelchair users

Good contrast between the floor and walls

Lift equipped with raised floor numbers or braille numbers or letters

Contrast markings on clear surfaces such as glass doors

Baby changing facilities

Visitor information available in large print (14pt and over)

Visitor information available in audio format

Entrance

Entrance is well lit

Automatic door at the main entrance

General

Seating available for visitors with limited mobility

Clear signage

Effective lighting for visually impaired visitors

Wheelchairs provided

Free

Routes/pathways suitable for wheelchair users or visitors with limited mobility

Displays at suitable height for wheelchair users / children

Audible alarm system

Visual alarm system

Notes

The Mercury Theatre has full step-free access as well as disabled toilets, and many provisions for different impairments and disabilities.
The theatre was the winner of the 2010 Essex Tourism Award - Access For All. Seats are held for Audio Described and Captioned performances up until two weeks before the performance and after this point they will be available on a first come first served basis; there is limited free disabled parking under the canopy for blue badge holders which operates on a first come first served basis; a lift operates to all levels of the theatre; wheelchair spaces are available; an infrared enhancement system is available in the auditorium at all performances (for use with or without a hearing aid); Touch Tours are available; RNID typetalk and text phone (01206 245518).